To teach autos or not?

[elks]

I have a job offer to go back into teaching at one of the best high school auto shops in Colorado. I am really considering it, but I also really love my job here at the college.

I am currently working as a grant manager for Colorado Mountain College. My position is grant funded and as a result will not exist once the grant ends in September 2014. There is no promise of any other opportunity at this time. I would like both jobs equally. I love the idea of the shop and the potential impact I can have on the world.

On the high school front I would have 4 day school week with Fridays off. On the college front I make more money but do not have summer break, etc.

I am truly at a point where I am more stressed about the decision than anything. the high school principal who ill be my boss was also my 8th social studies teacher, my high school football coach and a major mentor in my life. The old auto teacher has been important in my life as well so I feel personal commitment to both...

UGGHHH! I could write 3 pages going back and forth. What would you do? Work as administrator in college or go back to teaching in a shop?

 

[89yimmiJ]

Teach!

The fact that you are on this forum makes you relevant to your students. Too many teachers go into that career thinking it only as a job. You've had a great mentor, now you can be a great mentor.

If you need to make extra money, you'll find a way to supplement. Many of the teachers I had had side jobs that helped pay the bills.

Plus you'll have free labor on your projects.

 

[big dan]

Even though you say you would enjoy both jobs equally it sounds to me like you would be happier in the high school auto shop class. And if Im reading this correctly your current job ends in sep. 2014? with no promise of other opportunity I would definitely change for a position that wasn't planned to end soon. Good jobs are hard to come buy and even if you would be making less money you have two things going for you with the high school job; first it doesn't have a planned end date and second I feel like enjoying your job is more important then the money if you can afford the pay cut.

Currently I work at a job corps center doing maintenance and helping my boss teach facility maintenance to the students. I could make more money, quite a bit more, working for a big hvac company with my knowledge and experience but my current job is really close to home (6 miles) and I really enjoy what I do helping others to learn a trade and many other things. I think job satisfaction is worth more than the money.

Overall I think the high school auto shop job has more to offer you than your current position. Especially in October 2014

 

[82355]

Summer break, isn't that enough?

Martin

 

[MrSchaeferPants]

I feel the same about what happens after 2014 like big dan said. And from what you posted I too think you're leaning more towards teaching. Great advantage there is being an auto shop, I'd say the majority if not all of the students are going to be eager to learn which will make the class that much better, as opposed to a mandatory class such as English, Math... etc.

Guess you'd have to decide pros and cons on less money, but summer breaks.

 

[TheBeast_88K5]

Same here..... Unless there's some crazy "other" issue, I'd say teach shop.

 

[eagle mark]

Man I'd love to teach Auto Shop, I also like kids, so the decision is easy...

 

[Russell]

Grab another job in the summer and I bet you'd make similar money to your current position. You'll go insane having the whole summer off anyways, just take a couple weeks off and go back to work until the fall!

I'd say go teach!

 

[ChadRay13]

My auto teacher was an incredible mentor to me. If you are a passionate gear head then you'll make a difference in at least one teenagers life.

 

[Mikkelsen]

Teach! I would not be the person I am today without the teachers that have impacted me in life. The world could use another good one. Plus who would not love the schedule. You could get stuff knocked out around home during the summer or pick up work.